BBC Broadcasts to Portugal in World War 2: How Radio Was Used as a Weapon of War

Author:

Ribeiro, Nelson

Year:

2011

Pages:

540

ISBN:

0-7734-1487-8978-0-7734-1487-7

Price:

299.95

The study employs archival research to produce a narrative of the early history of radio in Portugal, from its emergence through to the end of World War II. It analyzes foreign broadcasters' impact in the country during the War.

Reviews

The question of trans-border transmissions, a major distinguishing feature of radio before the coming of the internet in effect dissolved national boundaries and the limitations of through-air broadcasting, has also received some attention; and its propaganda function in wars and conflicts has been addressed. -Prof. Brian Winston, University of Lincoln

“…fascinating excavation of radio history in Portugal with a focus on the role of the BBC broadcasts during WWII.”-Prof. Ann Gray, University of London

“…presents issues of importance to the History of Portugal and where the radio gets a special interest…we can better understand the functioning of Salazar’s dictatorial regime and how he was able to handle the news during World War II.”-Prof Rogerio Santos, Catholic University of Portugal

Table of Contents

Foreword
Acknowledgements
Introduction
PART I
PROPAGANDA AND PERSUASION
1. Defining Propaganda
2. Brief History of Propaganda
3. The Importance of Persuasion in Media Studies
4. The Birth of Radio or the Emergence of a New Means of
Propaganda
PART II
PORTUGAL DURING THE 1930S AND 1940S
5. A Singular Dictatorship: The Construction and Political
Profile of the “Estado Novo”
6. Social and Economic Situation
7. Individual Rights, Political Police and Censorship
8. The Role of Propaganda
PART III
RADIO BROADCASTING ENVIRONMENT IN
PORTUGAL DURING THE 1930S AND WORLD WAR II
9. The Role of Private Initiatives in the Development of
Portuguese Radio
10. The Public Broadcaster during the 1930s
11. The First Foreign Broadcasts
12. Portuguese Broadcasting at the Outbreak of World
War II
13. Belligerent Propaganda: The German Superiority and Fragile Situation of British Propaganda
PART IV
THE BBC PORTUGUESE SERVICE
14. BBC News Bulletins: Inauguration and First
Reactions by the Portuguese Regime
15. Transmission Hours and Staff
16. News Bulletins
17. Talks and Other Features
18. The Editorial Balance: Praising Salazar while Defending
the Allies
PART V
RECEPTION OF THE BBC PORTUGUESE SERVICE
19. Audience Reception Data
20. Portuguese Pro-British Sentiment and the Success of the
BBC
21. The Social Divide: Upper and Lower Classes
Comments on the Announcers
22. Listener’s Reactions to the News Bulletins
23. The Impact of Talks on Portuguese Listeners
24. Reactions to Talks on Controversial Subjects
25. Listeners Opposed to Salazar – From Expectation to
Deception
26. Reception Conditions and Public Listening
PART VI
THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE BBC: THE CASE OF
THE PORTUGUESE SERVICE
27. Control over the Staff
28. Diplomatic Pressure: the First Protests against the BBC
29. Interference after Hitler’s Invasion of Russia
Conclusion
Sources
Appendix
Index